iUniverseReviews of iuniverse.com

Great, but you missed a epigraph.

I did like the communication. If a call was scheduled, it took place right on time. The process moved very quickly, once a commitment was made. I wish that someone helped more with social media, but overall it has been a good experience, especially for my first time.

This is my second go-around with iUniverse. I got what I paid for using the "Pioneer" package -- a print copy of my book plus an e-pub on Amazon with a Getty-image cover and transcription of my manuscript without any professional proofreading or copy-editing. Make sure your manuscript is in print-ready form before submitting it. They are efficient and responsive. You must do the marketing, however, and do not fall for or pay for their promises to make you a star. They are a business designed to make money. They are not going to make money for you, and they do not care about your writing. If your expectations are realistic, there is no problem. Everything is outsourced to workers in the Philippines, but I was able to discuss issues by telephone, and they were polite. FYI, the price for your publication package is negotiable. Addendum 4/24/2024: As of this date they have failed to make my e-pub available per contract. Several calls and emails have gone unanswered, or someone in customer services unsympathetically says they will get back to you in 24-48 hours (untrue). Also, about 7-10 days after my book was published in paperback I began to receive calls on my personal cell phone from complete strangers -- scammers with Filipino accents -- wanting to help market my book for a hefty fee. I did an online investigation and discovered this was a common occurrence with iUniverse (google iUniverse and "Logan Crawford"). If I write another book, it certainly won't be published by this untrustworthy organization. Addendum 5/13/2024: I discovered a recurring $9.99 fee on my AMEX for "Author Learning Center." Apparently it was part of a one month "free trial" that comes with the Pioneer package and presumably other packages, only they continued to charge me for the "service" after the one month free trial was over. I eventually cancelled the service -- a service I never used -- but they refused to reimburse me for the six or so months of recurring charges -- service charges that I did not request or want. So much has been written on the Internet about iUniverse and other self-publishing companies under the Author Solutions company umbrella, including many lawsuits for deceptive marketing. Stay clear of all these companies: Xlibris, iUniverse, Archway, Balboa, and many others. They are exploitation specialists operating in the publishing realm. Highly unethical people in it only for the money.

I got the copies of my book as described in the publish package I bought.

Lot's of people in this company and the feedback is good. Call backs, follow-ups answers to questions are responded in a timely fashion. The staff is great friendly and outgoing and always thank you for calling I-Universe. Some departments are hard to reach and waiting time is too long on the phone.

I especially liked receiving free electronic copies of the book for my friends and family to redeem, for the photos show to the best advantage in that format. I found the early parts of the process to be slower this time than ever before. [This is my ninth book with iUniverse.] Don't know just what the problem was.

IUniverse provided a professional product in a timely manner. My only concern is that having paid for the book, IUniverse claims a big percentage on off each book ordered. I think there should be a bigger author discount.

I prepaid for a book package - and things changed in my life. Over ten years later iUniverse was here and ready to put my book on the market - as is. And for that I am grateful. iUniverse allowed having my book published - with visible mistakes to be published - simply because I could not afford the $3000.000 to $10,000.00 to editing and marketing iUniverse charges for their services. This company is friendly enough, and you certainly get a chance to meet a lot of the salesmen and women work for iUniverse. I was surprised to discover you rarely talk to the same person twice with company. You do not get a chance to develop a friendship with anyone, but everyone is friendly in this company. They are all pleasant men and ladies, and seem to are good sales people and they encourage customers to buy other services available in iUniverse. I am satisfied with the work they did for my book.